Communities Minister Hargey welcomes findings of Make the Call report

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the findings of an independent report into the Department’s Make the Call Wraparound Service (MtC Wraparound), which found far-reaching positive affects in a diverse range of areas.

Communities Minister Hargey welcomes findings of Make the Call report

The Minister was speaking as she met staff from the Service which aims to connect people with the benefits, supports and services to which they are entitled.

The financial results of the Service are published every year however the independent Ipsos MORI report examined its ‘Social Return on Investment’ to better understand the effects of receiving additional benefit entitlement and supports and services.

Minister Hargey said:

“Supporting the most vulnerable in society is a priority for me and I am delighted that my Department’s efforts to do this through the Make the Call Wraparound Service are reaping such positive results in crucial areas.

“The role of MtC Wraparound is wider than benefit uptake as it connects people to supports and services available through partnership organisations.

“By working with the wider voluntary and community sector, the Service’s work has had far-reaching positive effects on individuals’ mental and physical health and general wellbeing.”

Researchers for the Social Return On Investment report interviewed 1,298 customers who had previously used the service, across all customer areas. Almost half were over pension age with 52% working age, 41% of the respondents were male and 59% female. Ninety three per cent of customers had successfully claimed a social security benefit, 81% were successful with their application for services or supports and 87% reported that MtC Wraparound had a positive impact on them.

The Minister continued:

“We are all aware of the link between economic stability and emotional support to mental and physical wellbeing.

“This report has found that by encompassing those elements, the MtC Wraparound Service has had a positive impact in supporting people who otherwise may have been missing out on benefits, supports and services they were entitled to.

“Its findings will help shape the future of the service, providing continuing practical support to people within our community when needed.” 

Notes to editors: 

1. Customers were asked a series of questions relating to the Social Security Benefits they had received and/or the supports and services they had accessed or gone on to claim, as a result of the advice given by the Department’s Make the Call Advisors. Questions were aimed at determining the impact of having received the benefits, supports and services, particularly in relation to:

•      Financial impacts;

•      Improved mobility;

•      Positive impacts on mental health; and

Positive physical impacts

2. Partnership organisations interviewed as part of the research were: Northern Ireland Prison Service Resettlement Branch, Spring Social Prescribing and Vineyard Compassion
3. Media enquiries to DFC Press Office on email or telephone 028 9082 3516.
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
5. Follow us on twitter @CommunitiesNI

Share this page